Now that Donald Trump has settled his debts with Kid Rock and Jorge Masvidal has seemingly set sail for retirement within the tropics of Miami, the fallout from UFC 287 continues to rumble on with Alex Pereira confirming his short-lived reign of terror in the middleweight division is over.
The Brazilian was on the receiving end of a vicious second-round knockout which saw Israel Adesanya reclaim the middleweight strap and finally defeat 'Poatan' upon the fourth time of asking.
Pereira announced on his Youtube channel the move predicted by many both before and after the ledger with Adesanya had been somewhat squared. He has confirmed he will be moving up to the light heavyweight ranks.
MORE: SN Exclusive - Alex Pereira interview
"I think I did my work [at] 185 and now I’m feeling good to go up to 205,” Pereira said via translation. “Like I told you, when I’m feeling good — this will be something natural … and now I think it is."
Why did Alex Pereira move up to light heavyweight?
"I want to make one thing clear," Pereira said while glaring down the lens of the camera. "This division 185 … I always made weight.
"A lot of people had doubts, but I always fulfilled my obligation. But now it’s the moment to go up to the next division. This will be better for me.”
Regardless of any concerns around Pereira's ability to cut the required weight, the Brazilian did always manage to make it to fight night without a hiccup.
Yet the toll this weight cut took has been discussed ad nauseum with his coach, training partner and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Glover Teixeira, highlighting it as a reason for a move along with the prospect of some major fights being in the offing.
"Eventually he will [move up weight classes]," Teixeira told MMA Junkie earlier this year.
"We talk about it. He can fight anywhere. Look at this guy. He can fight in any division. He can fight in heavyweight or light heavyweight - he's big.
"Eventually, I think he's going to want to do that because the weight cut is a big cut for him."
UFC President, Dana White, called the Brazilian a "monster" in the aftermath of UFC 287, while revealing the close call he had in his weight cut for the title fight.
"I know that he had, he still had like two pounds to cut leading up to [the weigh-ins]," White said.
Meanwhile, Daniel Cormier revealed that Pereira actually weighed 203lbs, less than 24 hours before he had to cut down to the 185lbs limit.
"He can do 205, for sure," Teixeira stated. "Eventually, it might happen because if he goes up, there are super fights, big fights."
Will Alex Pereira fight Jamahal Hill for the light heavyweight title?
Despite not having a confirmed opponent, Pereira's chances of inserting himself straight into the upper echelon of the division are high.
After all, we've seen this before after it took him just three fights in the UFC before getting a title shot against Adesanya.
MORE: The next chapter of Israel Adesanya's legacy
For his part, Hill has dismissed the threat Pereira would pose for him.
“Come on in,” Hill told Inside Fighting. “I’m here for everybody. Just put a dish on the plate so I could eat.
“(It would be a) dominant victory for me – dominant. I’m going to dominate him.”
Prior to 'Poatan' announcing his intentions to leave the middleweight division and move up to light heavyweight, White flagged it as almost a certainty following his loss to Adesanya.
"Honestly, I think Pereira moves to 205 after this fight,” White said.
“I mean, I’m not saying he’s moving to 205, but I would assume he is. You guys can ask him himself, but it wouldn’t surprise me.”
Alex Pereira vs Israel Adesanya rivalry
For so long, Pereira had carved himself into the curvatures of Adesanya's nightmares following two victories against him in kickboxing, before he ruthlessly brought the Nigerian-born Kiwi's title reign to an end at UFC 281.
"No matter what, Alex is a great champion," Adesanya said inside the cage after laying waste to Pereira.
"He lost the belt tonight, but he will always be a champion. In his story, I'm the antagonist. In his story, I'm the bad guy. But tonight, it's my story. History."
The duo's intense rivalry had bubbled away throughout a frenzied build-up in Miami with 'The Last Stylebender' promising to "do more and talk less" while he cycled through a range of props, including a dog collar, at press conferences.
Yet Adesanya did plenty of talking after emerging victorious in the bout, shooting three imaginary arrows into Pereira while he lay prone on the canvas before slumping to the floor in front of Pereira's son.
MORE: Adesanya explains savage Pereira KO and celebration
"All of you saw the provocation from Adesanya after the fight," Pereira said following his announcement.
"He acts as if he has won against me three times. But it’s not like this.
"But I understand or try to understand the happiness he has. It was his dream to win one time against me, and now he did.
“But I’m sure if I would stay in this division, I can fight against him directly.
"Let’s see how he behaves. I’m not going up because I can’t make the weight anymore. I will always be able to make 185. Let’s see the behavior of him.
MORE: Breaking down the rivalry between Pereira and Adesanya
"He’s behaving like this because Dana White spoke after the fight about my weight.
“And it seems like he is thinking like, ‘Oh this guy will never make weight again, I can [provoke] him because he won’t do anything.
"I’m sure if I insist to fight him again immediately, the UFC and my promoters will make it happen."
